At Miss Universe Belarus is represented by Eleonora Kachalovskaya, the holder of the Miss Belarus 2023 title and the first Runner-Up title at the Miss Europe Continental 2023. The world’s most beautiful girls gathered in Mexico City, Mexico. The finale is tonight. A BelTA correspondent called the Belarusian beauty to ask how she was going. The conversation took place just a few hours ago, when it was early morning in Mexico.
Eleonora, good morning! How are you?
I am good, although the excitement is taking its toll. Some fatigue has accumulated over the time that we have been here. But this does not bother me in any way. Therefore, I am in quite a positive and joyful mood.
It's early morning in Mexico City, but you're awake. What is the daily routine at Miss Universe?
We go to bed at about one or two in the morning, sometimes at three, get up at five in the morning. The schedule and workload are tough. Every day we have something scheduled: rehearsals, filming, master classes, interviews, pre-interviews. In fact, there is absolutely no free time. Things are busy.
Where do you get your energy from?
Honestly, I don't know myself. Probably, the body has gone into the full dedication mode. Now I am tapping into all resources of my body. In general, I am surrounded by nice people here. I got very lucky with my roommate. Probably, there is an exchange of both energy and mood. Therefore, despite the schedule, I am feeling positive. In general, I am the first representative of Belarus at the Miss Universe contest. This thought invigorates and gives energy.
How are you coping with nerves?
Nervousness, like fatigue, has a cumulative effect. Therefore, I take valerian; it helps a lot. I try to find an inner balance, achieve a zen state of mind, stay calm and positive.
You mentioned your roommate. Who is she?
Two girls share a room. We did not get to choose our roommates. Everything was absolutely random. I share a room with a contestant from Moldova.
Did you meet many participants? What kind of relationship do you have with them?
I've been here for 20 days. I have already met everyone. But due to the busy schedule, each of us communicates with our roommate for the most part. On the stage I have good relations with everyone. Everyone is very friendly understanding that we are in the same boat. So we try to maintain an amicable atmosphere.
Do you feel a competitive spirit?
After the Miss Belarus contest, I said in many interviews that competition in beauty pageants is a myth, and that I did not particularly feel this. But here it is.
How do you manage with gowns without the help of a team?
I'm the only contestant from Belarus here. Indeed, there is another representative from Belarus here, but I have no access to her. The contestants are not allowed to meet anyone. We have security guards who protect us from any contact with a third person. I can meet someone for literally three seconds: to pick something up or hand something over. Communicating, spending time together is prohibited. How do we manage with gowns and makeup and look top-notch? I'm wondering myself!
As far as I know, your evening gown, for example, is designed in a way that you can put it on by yourself, without the help of another person. Is that right?
That's right. I assembled the national outfit here, even had to mend it in some places. Of course, I get help from the girls. You can ask anyone to help you button your gown up and they will surely help. Stylists also monitor the image, making sure that all the buttons are fastened and everything looks nice.
The national costume was amazing. Fabulous! How did the audience receive it?
If you watch the semifinal, you will see that this is not a competition of national costumes, but rather a costume festival. The jury was ready for this. All the contestants had huge designs.
It was an unusual representation of our national outfit. Our national costume is quite restrained, elegant, and free of any extravaganza. But we played by the terms of the competition, and the goal of the designer and the team was to awe the audience at Miss Universe.
How do you find Mexico? Did you have time to see the city?
No, I didn’t. I only saw a small part of it during the promo shot in the main square. While on the bus, we try our best to see as many interesting places as possible. This is a country of contrasts. There is a reason for us to have security.This is a dangerous city in many ways. But I have never seen or encountered any threat. This is why I will remember Mexico as an evergreen city. It is eternal spring here: it is cool in the morning, but very warm in the afternoon. We have such weather in Belarus in May. There are lots of cars, people. The city is fast moving. It is rapidly developing. It's modern. At the same time it keeps its old traditions and holidays alive. It is quite interesting to watch these contrasts.
Who will you call first after the results of the finale are announced?
I would like to note that not all the girls here get much support. I have a lot of support, and I feel it. Lots of people write to me, wishing me well. But this is already a victory for me. Very many Belarusians are supporting their representative! Even those who have never shown any interest in beauty pageants write to me and cheer me up. This interest and support of my country is a huge, spectacular victory for me.
After the finale I will call my family. All of them at once. When I come back home, I will hug my mum first, of course.
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